Punjab Government Organizes Consultative Workshop on Modernization of Water Supply & Sanitation Sector.

10 Aug, 2016

Punjab Government is emphasizing for provision of quality & sustainable service delivery in the field of Water Supply & Sanitation Sector to the community in the Province. Executing department would design projects on new lines by adopting modern & sustainable practices. The department should not be bothered if the cost of projects increases due to adoption of best sustainable practices.

Addressing the session, Chairman P&D Jahanzeb Khan stressed the departments should suggest optimal solutions & introduce latest technology so that problem of water supply would be resolved on a permanent basis. Projects PC-I’s would be prepared with due diligence and after detailed site visits. He also observed that due to adoption of new and modern technology the scheme of Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage could be executed speedily. He also directed that P&D Member Services Infrastructure (SI), CEO Urban Unit, PHED, WASAs, TMAs LG&CDD would jointly discussed the situation in detail and proposed tangible actionable solutions within ten days for further decision and implementation.

Earlier, Chief (PPH) P&D Haibat Ali Khan apprised the participants of the session about the objective of the consultative session while Muhammad Ashiq Chaudhary former Managing Director WASA Multan gave detailed presentation on Sectorial Diagnostic Analysis to modernize Water Supply & Sewerage Sector. He explained the present role & responsibilities of Public Health Engineering Department Punjab, Tehsil Municipal Administration & Community based organizations. He also informed about fresh water scarcity and rapid conversion of fresh water into waste water by water wastage. He also identified main issues in the sector including increasing sustainably problems of water supply systems in urban areas, lack of coordination between PHED and TMAs, non-development of good construction management practices, acute sustainability problem in rural areas etc. During the presentation he suggested revisions of HUD& PHED specifications on modern lines, monitoring, advisory and quality control services at provincial level and also effective coordination among PHED and TMAs.

Dr. Javed Younas Consultant P&D also gave detailed presentation regarding improvements in Water Supply & Sewerage Schemes. He emphasized assessment of real time trend of population growth and spatial pattern of development. He suggested the projects should be prepared on the basis of actual and updated data. Dr. Uppal proposed a cheaper, wide spread and decentralized alternative water source is the provision of solar ponds called “Tobas”. These “Tobas” can be community based, so that ownership of the people is involved, and returns are guaranteed.